Hostile crowd heckles President Kenyatta in Wajir as they chant pro-ODM and Joho slogans

https://youtu.be/N4t7xna8FfUBy ABDULHAKIM SHERMANnewsdesk@reporter.co.kePresident Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto were stunned in Wajir when a section of the crowd started heckling them.The hecklers chanted slogans in praise of Mombasa governor Hassan Ali Joho and the Raila Odinga led Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).Security personnel had a hectic time dealing with the hostile that continued interrupting the president’s speech with chants of Joho! Joho! And ODM! ODM!However, Wajir leaders pledged to stand with President Kenyatta who they said has demonstrated his commitment to lift the lives of residents in the county by investing billions of shillings in development projects.As proof of their support to Jubilee, four Wajir Members of Parliament, Deputy Governor Abdihafid Yarrow and Senators Hassan Abdirahman Ali and Halima Abdille (ODM Nominated Senator) led a host of MCAs in defecting to the ruling party at a rally attended by President Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto in Wajir town.The MPs who decamped from the Opposition to Jubilee were Mohamed Elmi (Tarbaj), Adan Keynan (Eldas), Abbas Mohamed (Wajir East) and Abdikadir Ore Ahmed (Wajir West).Citing the billions of shillings the Government has injected in implementing water projects, roads, electricity, education and health among other development projects, the leaders said the people of Wajir have confirmed that it is only President Kenyatta’s administration that has a genuine will to transform their lives.“We want to announce in broad daylight that we have defected from the opposition and together with the people of Wajir county, we have declared our total support to Jubilee,” Wajir West MP Ahmed said, when he addressed the public rally attended by thousands of residents at Orahey grounds in Wajir town.Receiving the defecting leaders, President Kenyatta thanked them for their decision to join the party that stands for unity and progress.“It is good that you have acknowledged the development we have implemented in the short span of four years and decided to walk with us on the path of development, unity and progress,” President Kenyatta said.The President assured the people of Wajir that his administration’s continued focus on equitable development and announced that the Government is using Kshs 23 billion in the construction of Bute dam to address the water shortage in the county as he pitched for Jubilee support from the county.President Kenyatta said Kshs 9 billion has also been invested in water supply and sewerage system for Wajir County.To empower the youth, President Kenyatta said the National Youth Service – through the Youth Empowerment program – will employ 1000 young people from the Wajir.“In the next six months, we will use Kshs 53 million in paying the youth of Wajir County under this program. That is part of our efforts to improve the lives of Kenyans,” the Head of State said.He said plans are also underway to connect the county to the national grid so that residents can enjoy a reliable supply of electricity.The President rubbished claims by the Opposition that his administration discriminates against Muslims, saying the Cabinet Secretaries Amina Mohamed (Foreign Affairs), Adan Mohamed (Industry, Cooperatives and Trade), Hassan Wario (Sports) and Najib Balala (Tourism) among others are Muslims who hold senior positions in Government.“This goes to prove that my administration does not discriminate against any Kenyan,” President Kenyatta said.Deputy President Ruto underscored the Government’s resolve to develop all parts of the country without discrimination.“We want all parts of the country to be at par in development. That is why we have committed huge financial resources to development and supported devolution fully,” the Deputy President said.Outlining the investment in infrastructure development in the North Eastern region, the Deputy President said the Government has started the construction of 100 kilometres Garissa – Modangashe and the 140 kilometre Modangashe – Samata road that will connect Wajir to the rest of Kenya and accelerate development of the county.“We want to build infrastructure to make Wajir join the rest of Kenya in development,” the Deputy President said.President Kenyatta later chaired a leaders meeting in Wajir town that was also attended by Deputy President Ruto to discuss the development agenda of Wajir County.

Help us report stories that expose environmental degradation, deforestation, pollution, poaching and ivory trade, illegal fishing, dumping of toxic waste, e-waste and plastics, illegal mining, climate change and impacts of global warming on different sectors of the economy and communities, not only in Africa, but also across the globe. While traditional news reporting is losing its relevance, serious investigative journalism requires more than basic journalistic skills. To do this we require a lot of resources.You can either BECOME A SPONSOR or MAKE A CONTRIBUTION

Nelson Mandela once said: “A critical, independent, and investigative press is the lifeblood of any democracy. The press must be free from state interference. It must have the economic strength to stand up to the blandishments of government officials. It must have sufficient independence from vested interests to be bold and inquiring without fear or favor. It must enjoy the protection of the constitution, so that it can protect our rights as citizens.”

If you like our journalism support us to continue bringing you groundbreaking and agenda setting stories.